FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Cathedral City Police (760) 770-0300
Issuing Employee: Commander Paul Herrera – 760-770-0308 – pherrera@cathedralcity.gov
Type of Case: Homicide Investigation / #2008C-1558
Date/Time Reported: August 6, 2020 / 2129 hrs.
Location of Occurrence: 30555 Davall Drive, Cathedral City, CA (Century Park)
VICTIM INFORMATION:
Name: Ruben Argentis Mujica
Age: 29
City of Residence: Palm Desert, CA
ARRESTEE INFORMATION:
Name: Carlos Antonio Ruiz
Age: 40
City of Residence: La Quinta, CA
ARRESTEE INFORMATION:
Name: Rena Lizzet Alaniz
Age: 20
City of Residence: Thousand Palms, CA
ARRESTEE INFORMATION:
Name: Andres Moreno
Age: 18
City of Residence: Cathedral City. CA
Summary:
On August 6, 2020, at approximately 2129 hours, Cathedral City Police Department (CCPD) officers were dispatched to Century Park (located at 30555 Davall Drive in Cathedral City) regarding a physical altercation with subjects fleeing the area. Upon arrival, officers located an unidentified male victim with life-threatening injuries. CCPD officers immediately started CPR and life-saving efforts until Cathedral City Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital. Unfortunately, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful – the unidentified male succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The deceased was later identified as Ruben Mujica, 29, of Palm Desert.
Cathedral City Police Detectives were called to the scene and initiated a homicide investigation. For the last three weeks, Cathedral City Detectives have worked tirelessly as the case began to focus on Rena Alaniz (20, of Thousand Palms) and her biological father, Carlos Ruiz (40, of La Quinta) as being principals in the murder of Ruben Mujica. Through a very detailed and thorough investigation, Cathedral City Detectives linked the victim to the suspects through various types of evidence and statements. Cathedral City Detectives secured homicide arrest warrants for Alaniz and Ruiz, and continued to gather evidence against both suspects.
On August 28, 2020 at 1233 hrs., Alaniz was arrested by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Gang Impact Team (GIT), after identifying her driving a vehicle on Roseview Lane in Thousand Palms, CA. She was taken into custody and booked in Riverside Co. Jail, for murder. She is being held on one-million-dollar bail.
On August 29, 2020 at 1638 hrs., Carlos Ruiz was contacted and arrested at his residence in the 47000 block of Dune Palms Road in La Quinta, CA. He was arrested by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Gang Impact Team (GIT) and was booked into the Riverside County Jail, for murder. He is being held on one-million-dollar bail.
On August 29, 2020 at 2148 hrs., Andres Moreno (an 18-year old male from Cathedral City) was also arrested in connection with this homicide investigation. He was taken into custody at his residence in the 68000 block of McCallum Way, Cathedral City. He was arrested by Cathedral City Police Detectives and was booked into the Riverside Co. Jail, for murder. He is being held on one-million-dollar bail.
The Cathedral City Police Department would like to thank the community members who provided information about this case – it is through cooperation with our citizens, law enforcement solves crime. The Cathedral City Police Department was assisted greatly by the following law enforcement groups who contributed in the investigation effort and/or locating and arresting the suspects responsible for this crime:
- Riverside County Sheriff’s Computer and Technology Crime High Tech Response Team (CATCH).
- Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Bureau (CHU).
- Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team (GIT).
Although arrests have been made, if you have information related to this incident or believe you may have information, please contact Cathedral City Police Detectives at 760-770-0300 / Detective Sergeant Rick Sanchez at 760-202-2488 or via the Cathedral City Police Department website at: cathedralcitypolice.com.
If you have information possibly associated with this incident, you may also report your information anonymously through the WeTip hotline at: 1-(800)-78-CRIME or WWW.WETIP.com. Some tip information may qualify for a cash reward.